By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–From the mouths of babes…
Surprising wisdom came from the voices of Union City Elementary School first graders as they performed their annual Thanksgiving musical for friends and families at three separate performances on Thursday.
Directed by music teacher Katie Tohn, students presented a collection of songs celebrating the upcoming holiday entitled ‘Simple Blessings.’
Each song included several examples of regular blessings often taken for granted. A grand finale during which the students held up signs of things they were particularly thankful for while singing ‘What a Wonderful World,’ a song made famous by Louis Armstrong that promotes the hope and faith of the world and its people.
“The theme of the program was to be sure to pay attention to things in life that don’t cost a penny,” Tohn said after the day’s first performance. “Those things range from our health to our happiness, families, and friendships – even the blue sky above and green grass. So many of the things that we often overlook were mentioned in the songs.
“I thought this program was very special for everyone. We had several kids tear up when we were learning and practicing certain songs. Even at 6 and 7 years old, many of them recognize how special their life really is.
“The kids made their own signs of things they were grateful for to display for the final song. We had everything from chicken nuggets and sauce to going fishing with grandparents. I think it shows that the most important things to them are not big, elaborate, expensive things, but the memories we make with them.”